I am going to build a front and rear bumper and want to know what you guys think are the best characteristics that make a usable bumper. Tow hooks, d rings, stingers, spots for a jack, width, idk... Whatever else. I am going to put a wench on the front not the rear and most importantly to get rid of the "fugly" factory bumpers. Also watching some videos on the Internet on some of the real rocky or drop off type terrain I see alot of damage to bumpers that to me are just alittle too big. Maybe even a stinger in the rear to protect your rear tire? Let me know what you think makes a good bumper.

What I'm going to do is take a 3/16" piece of 2x4 tubing weld tabs for bolt mounted(don't want to weld to frame unless rips off). 45 ends and mount a wench. I have seen the *****en warn ones hit rocks when the guys are approaching them in the front, so I want to keep it short so thinks can go straight to the tires. Keeping it square should allow me to jack the whole underneath. Receiver could go strieght in the middle of my tube and I could gusset the back if I think it needs it. And for the wench just mount a 3/16" plate with a mount for the roller. I can add a stinger or brush guard or both if I feel I need it. Rear I will probably stay the same design but take it out to the corners to protect the rear of the body. A couple d rings or the clevis mounts and put in a reciever either in the middle if there is room or keep it tight to the bottom. I think I got a plan now if anyone has any suggestions I am all ears.

My preference is for a recessed winch mount (more airflow to the radiator), to keep the stock fog lights in the bumper, and a stubby to allow the tires to bump against rocks or whatever, plus D-rings. That is why I chose this Rugged Ridge XHD bumper.

If you choose to install a stinger, make sure it has additional sturdy brace bars. Most stingers really won't stop a Jeep from tipping over.

My preference is for a recessed winch mount (more airflow to the radiator), to keep the stock fog lights in the bumper, and a stubby to allow the tires to bump against rocks or whatever, plus D-rings. That is why I chose this Rugged Ridge XHD bumper.

If you choose to install a stinger, make sure it has additional sturdy brace bars. Most stingers really won't stop a Jeep from tipping over.

Another added benifit I see to a recess mounted is that your winch is pulling from the center of your mounting points. Instead of on top, it will be putting tourqe both ways. Pulling the top and pushing the bottom. Hmmmm..

I built front and rear bumpers for my tj. The most important parts to me were strength, clearance, recovery, mounting points, and practicality. Integrated a step for the rear bumper and a hitch. And for the front a hoop wide enough on top for my LED bar. D-ring tabs on both. Both are angled to slide off rocks and all the steel I used was at least 3/16 and thicker on some parts (don't care about weight as much).

People naturally want to build their own ideas. But, when you are dealing with something as important as an off road front bumper, why not just built what Warn designed for you. And, you don't want some welded up thing on the front of your rig that looks like you attached your navy foot locker to the frame. Something well designed.

As long as you don't sell it or commercialize it, ant it is for your personal use, you could build an exact duplicate of the Warn JK Off Road bumper. I suggest part number 89430. I'd leave off the cut-out "W" on the face of it though. And, who needs holes for driving lights down there. If you don't have a pretty stout press brake, every decent fab shop will have one and you can sub out the bends. There will only be a few. Maybe a half an hour on a good machine. It doesn't have to be perfect.

The engineers and designers at Warn have spent a lot of time and money developing a product that you will like and that is both safe and effective. Why not accept the benefits of their efforts.